"Sir Eustace retired about half-past ten The servants had already gone quarters Only my maid was up, and she had remained in her room top house until I needed her services I sat until after eleven room, absorbed in book Then I walked round that all was right before I went upstairs my custom to myself, for, as explained, Sir Eustace was not always trusted I went kitchen, the butler's pantry, the gun-room, the billiard-room, the drawing-room, and finally the dining-room

"As I approached the window, covered with thick curtains, I suddenly felt the wind blow upon my face and realized open I flung the curtain aside and found myself with broad-shouldered elderly man, who had just stepped room The window is long French one, which really forms door leading lawn I held my bedroom candle lit in my hand, and, by its light, behind the first man two others, who were act of entering I stepped back, but the fellow was on me in an instant He caught me first wrist and then throat I opened my mouth to scream, but he struck me savage blow fist over the eye, and felled me ground been unconscious , for when to myself, had torn down the bell-rope, and had secured me tightly oaken chair which stands head dining-table so firmly bound that move, and handkerchief round my mouth prevented me from uttering sound

" instant that my unfortunate husband entered the room He had evidently heard some suspicious sounds, and prepared for such scene as dressed in nightshirt and trousers, favorite blackthorn cudgel hand He rushed burglars, but anotherit was an elderly manstooped, picked the poker grate and struck him horrible blow as he passed He fell with groan and never moved again I fainted once more, but again it could only for very during which insensible When I opened my eyes had collected the silver sideboard, had drawn bottle of wine which stood there Each had glass hand already told you, have I not, that one was elderly, with beard, others young, hairless lads They father two sons They talked together in whispers Then they came over and made sure that securely bound Finally they withdrew, closing the window after them quite quarter of an hour before I got my mouth free When so, my screams brought the maid to my assistance The other servants were soon alarmed, and we sent local police, who instantly communicated with London really all that tell you, gentlemen, and I trust that necessary over so painful story again "

"Any questions, Mr Holmes ? " asked Hopkins

" impose any further tax upon Lady Brackenstall's patience and time," said Holmes "Before I go dining-room, like to hear your experience " He looked maid

" the men before ever they came house," said she "As I sat by my bedroom window three men moonlight down lodge gate yonder, but nothing of it more than an hour I heard my mistress scream, and down I ran, her, poor lamb, just as she says, and him floor, blood and brains over the room enough to drive woman out of her wits, tied there, and her very dress spotted , but she never wanted courage, did Miss Mary Fraser of Adelaide and Lady Brackenstall of Abbey Grange hasn't learned new ways You've questioned her long enough, you gentlemen, and now coming to her own room, just with her old Theresa, the rest that she badly needs " With motherly tenderness the gaunt woman put her arm round her mistress and led her room

"She with her all her life," said Hopkins "Nursed her as baby, and came with her to England first left Australia, eighteen Theresa Wright is her name, kind of maid you don't pick up nowadays , Mr Holmes, please ! "

The keen interest had passed out of Holmes's expressive face, and that mystery all the charm case had departed There still remained an arrest effected, but what were these commonplace rogues that soil his hands ? An abstruse and learned specialist who finds that he called in for case of measles would experience something annoyance which in my friend's eyes Yet the scene dining-room Abbey Grange was sufficiently strange to arrest his attention and to recall his waning interest

very large and high chamber, with carved oak ceiling, oaken paneling, and fine array of deer's heads and ancient weapons around the walls further end door high French window we had heard Three smaller windows right-hand side filled the apartment with cold winter sunshine left was large, deep fireplace, with massive, overhanging oak mantelpiece Beside the fireplace was heavy oaken chair with arms and crossbars bottom In and out open woodwork was woven crimson cord, secured at each side crosspiece below In releasing the lady, the cord slipped off her, but the knots it secured still remained These details only struck our attention afterwards, thoughts were entirely absorbed terrible object which lay tigerskin hearthrug in front fire

It body of tall, well-made man, about forty He lay upon his back, his face upturned, white teeth grinning through his short, black beard His two clenched hands were raised above his head, and heavy, blackthorn stick lay across them His dark, handsome, aquiline features were convulsed into spasm of vindictive hatred, which had set his dead face in terribly fiendish expression He had evidently been bed alarm had broken out, for he wore foppish, embroidered nightshirt, bare feet projected trousers His head was horribly injured, whole room bore witness savage ferocity blow which had struck him down Beside him lay the heavy poker, bent into curve concussion Holmes examined both it indescribable wreck which it had wrought

" powerful man, this elder Randall," he remarked

"Yes," said Hopkins " some record fellow, and rough customer "

" no difficulty in getting him "

"Not the slightest lookout for him, and some idea that he had got away to America Now that gang are here, I don't see how escape the news at every seaport already, and reward offered before evening What beats me is how so mad thing, knowing lady could describe them fail to recognize the description "

"Exactly One expected that silence Lady Brackenstall "

" not have realized," I suggested, "that she had recovered from her faint "

" likely enough If she seemed senseless, not take her life What poor fellow, Hopkins ? I seem heard some queer stories about him "